WASHINGTON (CNN) - Michael Deaver, a close adviser to President Ronald Reagan, has died, Deaver's family told CNN on Saturday.

The 69-year-old had been struggling with pancreatic cancer and died at
his home on Saturday in Bethesda, Md.

"Over the past several months, he battled pancreatic cancer with the courage, grace and good spirit that he carried throughout his life. We are so proud of him. In the end, he stood as the model of a man who not only loved life, but lived life right, one day at a time," his family said in a statement released by the Edelman public relations firm.

"He will be remembered for countless contributions to the art of communications, and for his years of service to our country in the stead of his longtime friend and boss, President Ronald Reagan, whom he started working with shortly after Reagan was elected California governor in 1966."

The White House released a statement from the president on Deaver's passing, with National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe saying Deaver "was a key advisor to President Reagan and a close and loyal friend to both the president and Mrs. Reagan."

"Michael Deaver knew the importance in our democracy of communicating with the American people, and he will be missed," Johndroe said.

soundoff(4 Responses)

CNN might have mentioned that Michael Deaver was convicted on three counts of perjury in 1987 for lying to a congressional subcommittee and a federal grand jury about his lobbying. He was sentenced to three years' probation, fined $100,000 and ordered to perform 1,500 hours of public service.

Michael Deaver was man I respected a lot Good Bye, my friend May God always keeps you happy, our prayers are with you and with our heart and mind.He was the Best, Voltaire's warning seems more valid than ever: "The best is the enemy of the good." Ramesh Manghirmalani Danville, California